Cow #80 (& South Poll calf)
Renowned cattleman Johann Zietsman visited our ranch in the fall of 2013. He picked this cow as one of our best cows based on visual appraisal. Years later while reading a Farm Progress article about Hormonal balance, in which they interviewed Johann Zietzmann, I was surprised to see a picture of one of her offspring in the article. It was one of our bulls, “B-80”. In the article, Johann included “B-80” as an example of good hormonal balance. 7 years previous, unbeknownst to him, Johann had selected that bull’s dam, cow #80, as a superior cow.
Obviously she has been an EXCEPTIONAL cow for us, but we have a one strike policy as far as calving within our spring calving window. She got bred for fall this time, and currently has a bull calf at her side whose sire is one of 3 Full Blood South Poll bulls from the Broadway line. We’re not sure how old she is, but she's at least 10 and has had 9 calves in that time and has a great udder.
Appropriate use of her offspring could potentially go along way in one's herd for making genetic progress toward better grass conversion efficiency.